Rumpleteasza: Oh. My. God. I - have no words. I am speechless. I've just come back from seeing Lord Of The Rings.
Of course, I've loved the books for years, I'm a pretty obsessive fan, but this... was so, SO GOOD. See it. All of you. PLEASE. I'm telling you, I swear it's worth your while. Even if you're not a Tolkein fan, just - see it.
I'm in a dazy state, I feel all weak, it's not a film, it's a bloody experience. I wasn't going to upload this chapter today because I'm in such a reverie, but I thought I've put it off long enough and you lot have been so good and patient! pats readers on the head It's a bit longer. It's quite cool. See what you think.
Legolas: appearing in a puff of green smoke and blinking What - what am I doing here?
Rumpleteasza: I'd say that was obvious. (aside) Hrm, pretty, but none too bright …
Legolas: I see...
Rumpleteasza: Well, so saying, I think I'll leave you all to read the fic. Have fun, darlings, have fun. (drags a bewildered-lookingLegolas offstage)
Chapter Fifteen – The Girl Who Changed
Glowing, Jun made her way through the crowd in the auditorium, feeling like a queen. People were whispering and looking at her curiously. No-one had recognised her yet. Well, they'll soon find out! she thought ecstatically, spying a group of her friends through the crowd and making a beeline. Then she calmed herself, composing her features into a sultry expression. Be confident and nice, don't be OTT, she thought, mentally reciting Sora's advice. After all, Sora probably knew more about what boys liked than most girls, being such good friends with so many. Don't gush. Don't be too adoring. Be complimentary but keep it simple.
Jun strolled up to one of her closest friends – Gwen, a member of the tennis team – who was chatting unconcernedly with a group of others, and tapped her on the shoulder. "Hi, Gwen!"
Swinging round, Gwen looked momentarily confused. "Um, hi…" she stopped short, her jaw dropping. "J-Jun?"
Jun tried to hang on to her sultry gaze, but couldn't help beaming at her friend. "The one and only."
"Oh my god!" Gwen shrieked, jumping up and down in delight. "Jun! Jun! You look amazing! Look at your hair! Where did you get it done? And oh my god, that eyeliner design is so cool! I can't believe it! Oh my GOD!"
The group slowly dissolved into an unruly, shrieking mass, everyone recognising Jun at once and struggling to get a better look. The students around them gaped, speechless. Snippets of "Jun Motomiya? No way!" and "Has she changed or what?" floated over to her, only making her grin wider.
"Wow, I bet you could totally bag Matt looking like that," Kiko, another friend, told her admiringly.
"Do you think so?" Jun squealed, slipping back into her usual hyper self. "Oh my god! That would be so amazing, how unbelievable, I can't wait to see him, where is he? I wonder if-" she broke off, the mantra coming back into her head. Don't gush, don't be too adoring. Be confident and pleasant but mysterious. Don't be OTT.
"Don't be OTT," Jun murmured, composing her features. She calmed her voice to a low, unconcerned tone. "Well, I guess that would be cool, but I'm not really bothered. My main priority tonight is to have fun, full stop."
Gwen cocked her head to one side, puzzled. "But you adore Matt. Don't you at least wanna see his reaction?"
Don't gush, don't be too adoring. "Maybe," she answered offhandedly. "Hey, who's up for a dance? I'm too full of energy just to stand around doing nothing!"
"Alright!" beamed Gwen. "C'mon guys, let's hit the floor!"
"So," Mimi smiled, "are you surprised, or are you surprised?"
Joe looked up from his concentration. He and Mimi had been dancing for about ten minutes – quite a feat in his eyes, since his terrible coordination usually ensured he stayed on the sidelines, well away from the dance floor. Tonight it wasn't too bad – Mimi was steering – but he still had to concentrate to make sure he didn't step on her toes. That was the last thing he needed. Mimi was enchanting; she practically shone under the coloured lights, her face, her hair, her dress, everything about her shimmered like some ethereal spirit.
"Surprised?" he asked, raising an indigo eyebrow. "You mean surprised byhow you look tonight?"
"Yeah," Mimi beamed, her warm golden eyes sparkling. "Not just me, though, the other girls too. What did you think of our glorious entrance?"
"Jun's incredible," Joe admitted, focusing over Mimi's shoulder to where Jun and her friends were dancing energetically. She looked like she was having a lot of fun. There was something different about her, not just the way she looked, but the vibes shegave out– she was holding herself differently, she seemed more confident and happy with herself. Joe could see her sneaking the occasional peek at Matt up on stage, but for once her attention didn't seem to be totally centred around him. It did a lot for her. "I didn't recognise her for a moment when I first saw her," Joe carried on, "but then it was obvious. You know," he said with a faint air of softness, "I think it was really – nice of you and the others to include her in all that stuff you did today. She… she never seems very happy and I just get the feeling you helped her a lot, and I just think that's really – sweet," he finished lamely, but Mimi understood what he meant, and glowed with pride.
"What about Sora? And Kari and Yolei? They're pretty different too."
Joe laughed, breaking his concentration and stepping on Mimi's toe by mistake. She yelped.
"Sorry," he apologised. "I just can't help laughing when I think of the look on Tai's face. You know what? When you guys arrived, he was just in the middle of saying no matter what you'd done to Sora, she'd never pull off being girly. And then she walked up, and he just trailed off mid-sentence. It was classic." He laughed again.
Mimi lowered her star-dusted lids coyly. "And what about me?"
Joe felt a blush tinge his cheeks. "Was I surprised? Of course not."
Mimi drew her brows together quizzically. "What do you-"
"I mean," Joe muttered, "that I'm never surprised how beautiful you manage to make yourself."
Mimi took a second to find her voice. "I – thank you," she said softly. And she meant it. Not the best compliment she'd ever received, not by a long way, but coming from Joe? She'd had countless guys telling her she was beautiful, but none had ever made her feel more special.
Kari laughed as TK spun and dipped her, her plum-coloured hair falling back from her face. "TK! I'll fall!"
"No, you won't," he grinned, pulling her lithely back up to a standing position. "And if you do," he said as he locked eyes with her, "I'll catch you."
For a moment Kari blushed, sensing a deeper meaning. Then the heat faded from her cheeks and she smiled again. "Want to get something to drink? Dancing's thirsty work."
"Sure," TK said amiably, holding out his arm. "After you."
Giggling, Kari took it. "My, aren't we the gentleman tonight."
"Of course. It's a formal dance, after all."
Kari swatted him playfully in the arm. "Ten bucks you'll drop the act by the time we go home."
TK laughed. Making their way over to the refreshments table, they caught sight of Yolei, Izzy, Daisuke and Cody chatting round a small table by the wall. "Hey," Kari leant up to speak in TK's ear, "d'you mind if I catch up with Yolei?"
"Sure," he smiled, detaching his arm from hers and heading to the drinks stand. "I'll find you in a minute. Coke ok for you?"
"Thanks."
Winding her way through the crowd, Kari sidled up the table and waved as Yolei caught sight of her.
"Hey Kari!" Yolei called. "Having fun?"
"Totally," Kari beamed as she sat in the vacant seat next to Daisuke. "How about you?"
"Cool," she answered, brushing a strand of glossy lilac hair out of her eyes. Kari dwelled for a moment on how un-Yolei-ish she looked without her glasses. Not better or worse, just… different.
Suddenly Mimi appeared by the table, glittering gently under the lights, followed by Joe and TK, who handed Kari a coke and smiled when she thanked him. "So!" Mimi exclaimed breathlessly. "This is where you're all hiding! Do you seriously think you're going to get away with not dancing all night? C'mon, lazies, me and Joe have been up there for ages!"
Yolei pushed her chair back. "Sure Mimi, I'll dance!"
"Cool!" Mimi squealed, linking arms with Yolei and flashing her winning smile. Yolei smiled back immediately with helpless delight. Joe, watching them, marvelled at how Mimi was so simply adored by everyone, and how impossible it was to dislike her. Mimi'd be ok, whatever she did. Mimi had class.
Right now, she was pulling a very pink-faced Izzy and a very reluctant Cody to their feet. With a simple "Come on, we'll all dance in a group. You'll love it when you're out there!" she was guiding them away from the table. Joe followed, Kari and TK close behind.
"Daisuke?" Mimi turned and beckoned. "Aren't you coming?"
"No," Daisuke muttered. "I don't feel like it."
Mimi put her hands on her hips, cockingg her head to one side. "You can't just sit here all on your own."
"Watch me," Daisuke spat.
Mimi sighed. She knew his anger wasn't directed at her, and she knew where it was directed, but she couldn't talk to him about it when the problem was standing right next to her chatting animatedly to TK. She shot him a sympathetic glance. "Well, if you feel like dancing, come and find us, ok? We'd like to have you there."
Irresistible Mimi again. Even in his bad mood, Daisuke couldn't help but give her a small smile that was clearly one of thanks. "Will do."
The small, lively group moved away, leaving Daisuke alone at the table, scowling amid the spectrum of dancing couples in front of him.
Daisuke looked up as Sora sank down into the chair opposite. "Hi, Dai! Hot, isn't it?" she said, fanning herself with her hand.
"Yeah," he said glumly.
Sora raised and eyebrow. "Are you ok?"
Daisuke snapped. He was totally, utterly and completely fed up. Fed up with being ignored, fed up with being made fun of, fed up of being pitied, fed up of being lonely, fed up of never being anything more. "Oh, yeah, fabulous," he shot at her. "I'm sitting all alone crowded in by a load of stupid couples rubbing it in my face, all my friends have gone off and left me, no-one takes me seriously, everyone thinks I'm a dunce idiot and the girl I love completely ignores me and acts all lovey-dovey with someone else right under my nose every day. Yeah, I'm just fucking peachy, can't you tell?"
Sora was silent, her expression unreadable.
Daisuke felt a coldness spreading through his body. "Shit, Sora, I'm sorry," he said weakly, bowing his head. He hated this. He hated apologising for the way he felt, and he hated the guilt he was feeling for admitting it. Why couldn't anything ever be on his side?
Then he felt something thatmade his heart skip a beat– Sora had moved round next to him, and was holding him close against her.
"Don't apologise," She murmured, smoothing his hair. "It's not your fault. None of this is your fault. I know it hurts. I know you want her to notice you. But Dai, you're a valuable friend to her, you know you are. Think of how many times you've put your lives in eachother's hands."
"Yeah, a valuable friend. Only a friend."
He could almost feel her expression, sad and gently truthful. He was right. TK and Kari were soulmates, and nothing would change that. But god, it hurt.
Sora's arms stayed around him, letting him shed a few tears into her neck that she pretended not to notice. He knew that she understood he'd never usually be caught dead crying. Come to think of it, why was he doing this in front of her? Although he'd known Sora a fair few years, he didn't actually know her really well. But he felt comforted and safe. This was the kind of big-sisterly thing that in his deepest, most secret moments he'd admitted to himself that he wished Jun would do for him.
Sora broke away from him and looked away as he wiped his eyes. Then she took his hand. "Go on. Go and find the others. Ka… they're not with them. It's just Mimi, Joe, Izzy, Yolei and Cody. You'll find it's better than staying here by yourself."
"I don't want to hang around with the couples," Daisuke almost whimpered.
"They're not couples," Sora said firmly. They're dancing in a group as friends, and they miss you. Go to them."
"No-one misses me," Daisuke laughed bitterly. The laugh died as he caught the expression on Sora's face.
"Are you saying they're not really your friends?"
"Of course not-"
"Don't ever say that. They're the truest friends you'll ever have. It's the reason you were a chosen Digidestined. Not only that, you were chosen to be their leader. Doesn't that give you some idea of your capabilities?"
"I guess so………"
"Of course it does. I think there's more to you than people realise, Dai. Now go on, they're waiting for you."
Daisuke got to his feet, feeling hopeful and apprehensive and strangely heart-full at the same time. "Sora, I……… no-one's ever said this stuff to be before, I – I mean, I really apprecia-"
"I know." Her voice softened. "Go on."
He hovered for a moment before disappearing into the crowd. Sora watched him go and heaved a sigh.
"Still playing the mother, I see."
Sora whipped round. "Jesus, Matt! Give me a heart attack, why don't you?"
He smiled roguishly and slipped into the seat beside her. "So, Daisuke had the pleasure of your compassion? Lucky guy. Let me guess – Kari."
Sora stared wistfully out through the hive of people on the dance floor. "Who else?"
"Of course. But how come you're all on your own out here? Where's your faithful other half, the gloriously insensitive but incredibly big-haired Taichi?"
Sora laughed and scooped a pretzel out of the bowl on the table. "Other half? I wouldn't presume so far as that." She crunched the pretzel up slowly. "And as for insensitive, I think he's just naturally very blatant. Not the type to be afraid to let you know exactly what he's thinking, be it good or bad. Perhaps he should have got the Crest of Sincerity."
Matt's full, shapely lips twitched upward to a smile. "Perhaps."
Sora fingered a strand of her soft, glossy, newly-cut hair. "You on a break? How's it going so far?"
"What, with the band?" Matt's oceanic eyes danced. "Great, Even better than I thought. Practically everyone's dancing. My only regret is that being the actual provider of music, I can't dance myself. Shame really."
"Or is it?" Sora regarded him with laughing crimson eyes. "Exactly how many simpering fans do you think you'd have to avoid?"
"Good point."
Sora pushed away the pretzel bowl and began to stand up. "You want to find the others?"
Matt's hand shot out and grabbed her wrist. "Wait."
There was such a profound change in his tone that she turned and stared. Low and husky. His plump lower lip was trembling slightly, his crystalline eyes were pleading and intense, gazing unblinkingly at her through strands of honey-gold hair. His grip in her arm seemed vaguely electric.
Sora stayed absolutely still. His stare was piercing, mesmerising, so utterly soul-baring that any words she had stuck in her throat. "Wh… M… Matt?"
"I need to talk to you." Loosening his grip, but never looking away, he steered her gently back into her seat.
Sora couldn't tear her eyes away. How did he do this? What kind of power did he have at his command, to hold a person's attention so completely and so fully? In all the years she'd known him, she'd understood that there was definitely more to Matt than met the eye, but she had never experienced it so intensely before.
"Tell me anything you like." She heard herself speak. It was him controlling the situation, and they both knew it.
"You're the only one I want to tell. Tai and TK know. But I want you to know. You understand me, at least more than most other people, and I know I can trust you. I want to tell you."
Sora felt as if she was drowning. Drowning in emotion, intensity, happiness, pride, confusion… Matt was truly an enigma.
His lip trembled again. "I'm… bisexual."
Sora's mouth fell open. She started to laugh; she couldn't help it. Relief flowed from her. She grabbed his hand and grinned. "Matt! My god, I thought you were going to tell me you'd been experimented on by alien intelligence or something. Jesus Christ. I know you're bi, Matt, I've known it for years." She shook her head in wonder. "The way you build things up… I swear, you've got an incredible gift to hold a person's attention. Amazing."
Matt stared at her, open-mouthed. "What? You knew?"
"Of course I did. I've seen the way you behave. Little things, like watching a video with me and commenting on male actors as well as female; the way you respond when the other guys are talking about people they have crushes on; the way you act around Tai. How could I not know? I do hold the Crest of Love, remember. It's only natural I should be able to tell."
Matt shook his head, his eyes full of relieved disbelief. "I don't believe this. And you never said anything?"
"Why should I? It's not like it's a big deal."
"It's not? You're cool about it?"
Sora laughed again. "What do you mean, 'cool about it'? It's not even an issue. So you like boys. Well, so do I."
"Yeah, but –" Matt struggled to justify why being bisexual should be an issue. Come to think of it, he thought in confusion, why exactlyIS it an issue? "– You're a girl. It's natural for you to like boys. I'm a boy. It's natural for me to like girls. And I do, but I like boys too. It's just…" he trailed off.
Sora shrugged. "When it comes to talking about what's natural, you're talking about yourself and no-one else. If it feels natural, then it is natural. What's so confusing about that?"
Matt stared at her in frustrated admiration. "I've never know anyone to make it so clear. You're fantastic, Sora, you're just… an enigma."
Sora laughed, blushing with pride. "I was thinking the exact same thing about you a minute ago. Did you forget to confess you're a telepath, on top of everything else?"
"A telepathic bisexual," Matt mused. "There's a new one."
They laughed together. Both separately felt a sense of comforting understanding.
Jumping up, Matt grabbed her hand and pulled her to her feet, his eyes shining in child-like playfulness. Sora marvelled at how many levels his personality had. "I've got five minutes before they stop playing this chart music and my band have to get back onstage. How about a dance?"
Sora peered through the crowd. "I think I can see Tai and the others out there. What d'you say we go and join them?"
He grinned his winning smile and dragged her into the mêlée.
Rumpleteasza: Hope you enjoyed that. Next part up when I shift my ass into gear, but chapter 17 might take a while to get out - still writing, mad writer's block, no, sinking, too difficult... urgh. Plus I'm not in a Digimon mood AT ALL at the moment. Not after LOTR. My God.
Hauntress, I put you on my favourites as soon as they were up and running, because you're an excellent person and I think you deserve it. However, it rests on your own opinion of whether being glomped is good or bad... especially when the glomper is me... Izzy knows that well enough by now.
Koushiro: (tremble) Please don't come near me.
Rumpleteasza: Oh, you are a scallywag. (glomps Koushiro)
Koushiro: Urgh - help - me...
